Smoking articles and wrapping materials therefor

ABSTRACT

A smoking article includes a smokable rod manufactured using a paper wrapping material having an additive material applied thereto as a pattern. The additive material is applied as coating formulation (e.g., an aqueous coating formulation) incorporating (i) inulin and guar gum, (ii) inulin and a polymeric material such as hydroxypropylcellulose or an alginate, or (ii) guar gum and a polymeric material such as hydroxypropylcellulose.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to smoking articles, and in particular, towrapping materials associated with those smoking articles. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to cigarettes, and inparticular, to the positioning of additive material to desired locationsof wrapping materials of cigarette rods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, have a substantially cylindricalrod-shaped structure and include a charge, roll, or column of smokablematerial, such as shredded tobacco, surrounded by a paper wrapper, toform a “cigarette rod,” “smokable rod” or a “tobacco rod.” Normally, acigarette has a cylindrical filter element aligned in an end-to-endrelationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, a filter element comprisesplasticized cellulose acetate tow circumscribed by a paper materialknown as “plug wrap.” Certain cigarettes incorporate filter elementscomprising, for example, activated charcoal particles. Typically, thefilter element is attached to one end of the tobacco rod using acircumscribing wrapping material known as “tipping paper.”

A cigarette is used by a smoker by lighting one end of that cigarette,and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker then receives mainstream smokeinto his or her mouth by drawing on the opposite end of the cigarette.During the time that the cigarette is not being drawn upon by thesmoker, the cigarette remains burning.

Numerous attempts have been made to control the manner that a cigaretteburns when the cigarette is not being drawn upon. For example, cigarettepapers have been treated with various materials to cause cigarettesincorporating those papers to self extinguish during periods when thosecigarettes are lit but are not being actively puffed. Certain treatmentmethods have involved applying materials to the paper in circumferentialbands or longitudinal stripes, creating areas that affect the burn rateof cigarettes incorporating that type of cigarette paper. See, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,030,963 to Cohn; 4,146,040 to Cohn; 4,489,738to Simon; 4,480,650 to Weinert; 4,615,345 to Durocher; 6,606,999 toCrooks et al; 6,827,087 to Wanna et al; and 6,848,449 to Kitao et al.;6,904,917 to Kitao et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Pub. Nos.2004/0231685 to Patel et al.; 2005/0016556 to Ashcraft et al.; and2005/0076929 to Fitzgerald et al.; each of which is incorporated hereinby reference. In addition, numerous references disclose applying filmsto the paper wrapping materials of tobacco rods. See, for example, U.S.Pat. Nos. 1,909,924 to Schweitzer; 4,607,647 to Dashley; and 5,060,675to Milford et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

“Banded” paper wrapping materials that are used for cigarettemanufacture possess segments defined by the composition, location, andproperties of the various materials within those wrapping materials.Numerous references contain disclosures suggesting various bandedwrapping material configurations. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.1,996,002 to Seaman; 2,013,508 to Seaman; 4,452,259 to Norman et al.;5,417,228 to Baldwin et al.; 5,878,753 to Peterson et al.; 5,878,754 toPeterson et al.; 6,198,537 to Bokelman et al.; 6,779,530 to Kraker;6,837,248 to Zawadzki et al; and 6,725,867 to Peterson et al.; and U.S.Patent Application Pub. Nos. 2005/0016556 to Ashcraft et al. and2005/0229941 to Minami et al.; each of which is incorporated herein byreference. Methods for manufacturing banded-type wrapping materials alsohave been disclosed. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,739,775 toHampl, Jr. et al.; and 5,474,095 to Allen et al.; and PCT ApplicationPub. Nos. WO 02/44700 to Watkins and WO 02/055294 to Hammersmith et al.Some of those references describe banded papers having segments ofpaper, fibrous cellulosic material, or particulate material adhered to apaper web. See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,263,999 to Baldwin et al.; 5,417,228 toBaldwin et al.; 5,450,863 to Collins et al.; and 6,502,613 to Suzuki;and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2005/0045297 to Garg et al. Arepresentative method for manufacturing cigarettes having treatedwrapping materials is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,906 to Myracle,Jr. et al. Additive materials can be applied to cigarette paper wrappingmaterials while those wrapping materials are being used for cigarettemanufacture (i.e., in a so-called “on-line” fashion). See, for example,U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,999,223 to Weinberger; 1,999,224 to Miles; and6,848,449 to Kitao et al.; 6,904,917 to Kitao et al.; and U.S. PatentApplication Pub. Nos. 2004/0129281 to Hancock et al; 2004/0261805 toWanna et al; 2005/0039764 to Barnes et al.; and 2005/0076929 toFitzgerald et al.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

It would be desirable to apply additive material in a controlled manneras a predetermined pattern (e.g., as bands) to wrapping material of thetype that is used for the manufacture of smokable rods for cigarettes.It also would be desirable to provide an additive material formulationthat is capable of being applied to the wrapping material in anefficient and effective manner. It also would be desirable to ensurethat the wrapping material so treated with additive material, whenemployed for the manufacture of a cigarette rod, yields a cigarette thatmeets standards of quality and behavior desired by the manufacturer ofthat cigarette.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides manners and methods for manufacturingsmoking articles, such as cigarettes. In a preferred aspect of thepresent invention, a suitable additive material is applied to thewrapping material of a cigarette rod, and that additive materialincludes at least one type of polymeric component. Typical additivematerials incorporate a mixture of polymeric components. The additivematerial is applied to at least one major surface of the wrappingmaterial, and most preferably, to one major surface of the wrappingmaterial.

The present invention also relates to wrapping materials having additivematerial formulations applied thereto (most preferably in a controlledmanner), and to cigarettes manufactured from those wrapping materials.For example, additive material is applied to a wrapping material as aformulation of the present invention; and that formulation incorporatesat least one type of polymeric agent, and most preferably, a polymericagent mixture.

A representative additive material formulation, and in particular, arepresentative polymeric agent mixture, most preferably incorporates apolymeric agent that can be characterized as a low viscosity material;that is, a material that can be used to reduce the amount of solvent orliquid carrier within the formulation, without acting to increase theviscosity of that formulation to any significant degree. Exemplarypreferred polymeric agents of this type are relatively low molecularweight inulin-type materials, which include inulins and modifiedinulins.

A representative additive material formulation, and in particular, arepresentative polymeric agent mixture, most preferably incorporates apolymeric material that can be characterized as providing a thickeningproperty to the formulation; that is, an agent that provides desirablerheological properties to the formulation. Representative thickeningagents are polymeric materials that because of character or behavior,because of viscosities that they exhibit, and because of factors such astheir molecular weight, have the ability to provide an increasedviscosity to a formulation into which they are incorporated.

A representative additive material formulation, and in particular, arepresentative polymeric agent mixture, most preferably incorporates apolymeric material that can be characterized as providing film-formingproperties to the formulation; that is, an agent that provides desirablefunctional effects or properties to the formulation. That is,film-forming agents act to provide a formulation that can allow theformulation to be applied to the wrapping material in a desired manner(e.g., as a pre-determined pattern), and can provide a treated wrappingmaterial that exhibits desired functional behaviors. Representativefilm-forming agents are polymeric materials of varying molecularweights. The thickening agent and the film-forming agent can be providedby one particular type of polymeric material, or one type of polymericmaterial that is provided in at least two forms, or at least two rangesof molecular weights. That is, certain polymeric materials can have theability to act as both film-forming and thickening agents.Alternatively, the thickening agent can be provided by one type ofpolymeric material, and the film-forming agent can be provided by adifferent type of polymeric material.

One representative type of additive material formulation incorporates amixture of (i) a material such as an inulin-type material, and (ii) atleast one polymeric film-forming agent (e.g., which can include apolymeric material such as guar gum or a relatively low molecular weightalginate). Such a formulation preferably includes a polymeric agent thatcan be characterized as a thickening agent.

Another representative type of additive material formulationincorporates a mixture of (i) guar gum, and (ii) at least one otherpolymeric material. Such a formulation can further include a materialsuch as an inulin-type material.

Representative formulations of additive materials are most preferablywater-based formulations; but may alternatively be formulationscontaining water-miscible components (e.g., one or more alcohols), orthat are non-aqueous based (e.g., organic solvent) in nature.

Optional ingredients, such as flavoring agents, preservatives, pigmentsand/or colorants, also can be incorporated into the aforementionedformulations. Ingredients such as water soluble and/or water insolublefiller materials (e.g., sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassiumcitrate and/or calcium carbonate) also can be incorporated into thoseformulations.

Certain aspects of the present invention involve transferring additivematerial to, and retaining additive material on, desired locations of awrapping material (e.g., paper wrapping web). For example, wrappingmaterial having a formulation incorporating a polymeric agent mixture(e.g., a formulation having an adhesive-type of character or nature)disposed thereon or otherwise applied thereto (e.g., by printing) canhave liquid solvent or carrier removed (e.g., the treated wrappingmaterial can be dried to remove significant amounts of water, when theformulation is a water-based formulation) and wound onto a roll that isadapted for later use for smoking article manufacture.

Other aspects of the present invention involve transferring thepolymeric agent mixture, and retaining that mixture on, desiredlocations of, a wrapping material suitable for use for smoking articlemanufacture (e.g., paper wrapping web) when manufacturing smokingarticles from those materials using a cigarette making machine. That is,a formulation of additive material is applied to a continuous advancingstrip of a paper web within a region of an automated cigarette makingmachine system (e.g., a machine designed to produce a continuouscigarette rod) in a desired amount, in a desired configuration and in adesired location.

For a wrapping material of the present invention, the region thereofcoated with coating formulation of the present invention most preferablyexhibits a diffusion capacity in that coated region, when measured atambient temperature, that is relatively low; but exhibits a higherdiffusion capacity in that coated region when measured after beingsubjected to exposure to a temperature significantly above ambienttemperature. That is, the amount of polymeric agent and other additivematerial components, and the total amount of those components applied tothe wrapping material (e.g., as a coated film), are such that thewrapping material exhibits the foregoing diffusion capacity-relatedbehavior.

In another aspect of the invention, a smoking article incorporating atobacco rod manufactured from wrapping material treated with theadditive material formulation of the present invention can possess atleast one band of additive material located in a region of its tobaccorod such that the band is capable of providing that smoking article withthe ability to meet certain smoking article extinction criteria. Certainsmoking articles of the present invention possessing tobacco rodsmanufactured using certain appropriately treated wrapping materials,when tested using the methodology set forth in the Cigarette ExtinctionTest Method by the National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST), Publication 851 (1993) using 10 layers of Whatman No. 2 filterpaper, meet criteria requiring extinction of greater than about 50percent, preferably greater than about 75 percent, more preferablygreater than about 90 percent, and most preferably about 100 percent, ofcigarettes tested. Certain cigarettes of the present inventionpossessing tobacco rods manufactured using certain appropriately treatedwrapping materials, when tested using the methodology set forth in themethodology set forth in ASTM Designation: E 2187-02b using 10 layers ofWhatman No. 2 filter paper, meet criteria requiring extinction ofgreater than about 50 percent, preferably greater than about 75 percent,more preferably greater than about 90 percent, and most preferably about100 percent, of cigarettes tested.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The FIGURE is an exploded perspective of smoking article, showing thesmokable material, the wrapping material components, and the filterelement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the FIGURE, there are shown the components of a smokingarticle 174 in the form of a cigarette. The cigarette 174 includes agenerally cylindrical rod 186 of a charge or roll of smokable fillermaterial 188 contained in a circumscribing wrapping material 190 of thepresent invention. The rod 186 is conventionally referred to as a“tobacco rod”. The ends of the tobacco rod are open to expose thesmokable filler material. At one end of the tobacco rod 186 is thelighting end 195, and at the other end is shown a filter element 200.The cigarette 174 is shown as having one printed band 202 printed onwrapping material 190, and that band entirely circumscribes thecigarette rod in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of thecigarette. That is, the band 202 provides a cross-directional regionrelative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette 174. The band 202most preferably is applied to the inner surface of the wrapping material190 (i.e., facing the smokable filler material), but can be, in a muchless preferred embodiment, applied to the outer surface of the wrappingmaterial 190. Although the cigarette 174 shown in The FIGURE haswrapping material having one band, the cigarette also can possesswrapping material having two, three, or more spaced bands. The band 202comprises additive materials of a water-based coating formulation thatincorporates a polymeric agent mixture of the present invention.

The cigarette 174 normally includes a filter element 200 or othersuitable mouthpiece positioned adjacent one end of the tobacco rod 186such that the filter element and tobacco rod are axially aligned in anend-to-end relationship, preferably abutting one another. Filter element200 has a generally cylindrical shape, and the diameter thereof isessentially equal to the diameter of the tobacco rod. The ends of thefilter element are open to permit the passage of air and smoketherethrough. The filter element 200 includes filter material 205 (e.g.,plasticized cellulose acetate tow) that is overwrapped along thelongitudinally extending surface thereof with circumscribing plug wrapmaterial 206. The filter element 200 can have two or more filtersegments, and/or flavor additives incorporated therein.

The filter element 200 is attached to the tobacco rod 186 by tippingmaterial 208 which circumscribes both the entire length of the filterelement and an adjacent region of the tobacco rod. The inner surface ofthe tipping material 208 preferably is secured to the outer surface ofthe plug wrap 206 and the outer surface of the wrapping material 190 ofthe tobacco rod using a suitable adhesive. A ventilated or air-dilutedsmoking article is provided with an air-dilution means, such as a seriesof perforations 210, each of which extend through the tipping materialand plug wrap.

Various representative types of cigarette components are set forth inU.S. Pat. No. 5,220,930 to Gentry and U.S. Patent Application Pub. Nos.2004/0255965 to Perfetti et al.; 2004/0261807 to Dube et al.;2005/0066982 to Clark et al. and 2005/0066986 to Nestor et al., whichare incorporated herein by reference. See, also, Johnson, Development ofCigarette Components to Meet Industry Needs, 52^(nd) T.S.R.C.(September, 1998). In addition, representative cigarette components andmethods for manufacturing cigarettes from those components are set forthin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/375,700, filed Mar. 14, 2006, toThomas et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

Various types of equipment and methods for manufacturing cigarettes, andfor applying additive material formulation to smoking article wrappingmaterial, are known. For example, representative types of equipment andthe operation thereof are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,449 to Kitaoet al.; 6,904,917 to Kitao et al.; U.S. Patent Application Pub. Nos.2004/0129281 to Hancock et al.; 2004/0231685 to Patel et al; and2005/0039764 to Barnes et al.; and 2005/0076929 to Fitzgerald et al.;which are incorporated herein by reference. Other representativetechniques for applying additive material formulation to wrappingmaterial are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,530 to Kraker; U.S. PatentApplication Pub. Nos. 2005/0016556 to Ashcraft et al.; 2005/0103355 toHolmes and 2005/0194014 to Read, Jr.; and PCT WO 04/095957 to Bray etal., which are incorporated herein by reference. As such, there arevarious known manners and methods for applying additive materialformulations in a desired manner (e.g., as a coating or film) to desiredlocations and/or in desired patterns on wrapping materials, such aspaper wrapping materials suitable for use for the manufacture of tobaccorods for cigarettes.

Coating formulation incorporating the additive material typically isapplied to wrapping material that is supplied from a roll. In oneregard, the formulation can be applied to wrapping material suppliedfrom a bobbin. The amount of wrapping material on a bobbin can vary, butthe length of continuous strip of wrapping material on a bobbintypically is more than about 6,000 meters; and generally, the length ofcontinuous strip of wrapping material on a bobbin typically is less thanabout 7,000 meters. The width of the wrapping material can vary,depending upon factors such as the circumference of the smokable rodthat is manufactured and the width of the overlap region zone thatprovides for the sideseam. Typically, the width of a representativecontinuous strip of wrapping material useful for cigarette rodmanufacture is about 24 mm to about 30 mm.

Paper wrapping materials of the present invention are useful ascomponents of smoking articles such as cigarettes. Preferably, one layerof the wrapping material of the present invention is used as thewrapping material circumscribing the smokable material, and therebyforming the tobacco rod of a cigarette. Most preferably, the wrappingmaterial has the coated regions located on the “wire” side thereof; andthe “wire” side of that wrapping material forms the inner surface of thecircumscribing wrapping material of the tobacco rod. That is, when thewrapping material is used to manufacture a smokable rod, the “wire side”major surface of the wrapping material that circumscribes the smokablematerial faces that smokable material. Typically, the “felt” side of thewrapping material is used as the visible outer surface of the tobaccorod. The terms “wire side” and “felt side” in referring to the majorsurfaces of paper sheet are readily understood as terms of art to thoseskilled in the art of paper and cigarette manufacture.

The selection of a particular wrapping material will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art of cigarette design and manufacture. Typicalpaper wrapping materials are manufactured from fibrous materials (e.g.,a cellulosic materials, such as wood pulp), and optional fillermaterials (e.g., calcium carbonate), to form so-called “base sheets.”Such wrapping material base sheets have basis weights that can vary, andexhibit porosities that can vary. See, for example, the representativewrapping materials, including those commercially available paperwrapping materials that are set forth in U.S. Pat. Application Pub. Nos.2004/0129281 to Hancock et al.; 2005/0016556 to Ashcraft et al.; and2005/0076929 to Fitzgerald et al. Other types of wrapping materials, andcomponents thereof, are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,868,855 to Shaferet al. and U.S. Pat. Application Pub. Nos. 2004/0134631 to Crooks et al.and 2006/0027243 to Matsufuji et al.; and EP 1234514 to Grider et al.;which are incorporated herein by reference.

The base sheets can be treated so as to impart a change to the overallphysical characteristics thereof and/or so as to introduce a change inthe overall chemical compositions thereof. For example, a base sheet canbe electrostatically perforated, coated with a film, treated with burnchemicals, or treated with flavoring agents or aroma precursors. Variousadditives can be added to, or otherwise incorporated into, the wrappingmaterial simultaneously to, or at different stages during or after, thepaper manufacturing process. See, for example, U.S. Pat. ApplicationPub. Nos. 2005/0016556 to Ashcraft et al. and 2005/0076929 to Fitzgeraldet al.

The base sheet can be pre-treated, prior to application of an additivematerial formulation over discrete regions (e.g., as bands or so as toprovide banded regions) to provide distinct coated areas. That is, thebase sheet most preferably is treated with an appropriate coatingformulation pursuant to the present invention such that virtually theentire base sheet is treated with a polymeric material (e.g., as acoating), and discrete coated areas of additive formulation maysubsequently be applied over the treated base sheet. For example,virtually the entire major surface of the base sheet can be treated witha coating formulation incorporating a polymeric material, such as analginate. The coating formulation can be applied to either or both majorsurfaces of the wrapping material, or the coating can be applied so asto be dispersed throughout the base web. Different applicationtechniques may be used for the base coating formulation. For example, aliquid formulation incorporating polymeric material can be sprayed on tothe base sheet, printed onto the base sheet, applied using a size press,or using other suitable application and drying techniques. Preferably,the amount of polymeric material (e.g., an alginate) applied tovirtually the entire base sheet is less than about 2.5 g/m², often lessthan about 1 g/m², and frequently less than about 0.5 g/m², on a dryweight basis. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Application Pub. Nos.2005/0016556 to Ashcraft et al. and 2005/0076929 to Fitzgerald et al.

Preferably, the amount of polymeric material that is applied tovirtually the entire surface of the base sheet is not sufficient on itsown to provide self extinction properties to a cigarette using the basesheet. That is, the diffusion capacity of such a treated base sheetpreferably is less than about 2.5 cm/sec., but typically is greater thanabout 1 cm/sec., and often is greater than about 0.5 cm/sec., whenmeasured at 25° C. This range may vary depending upon the initial,untreated properties of the base sheet. A base sheet treated in such amanner (e.g., with an alginate) so as to provide a thin but porouspre-layer thereto can be further treated with additive material toprovide a pattern (e.g., bands) thereon. A representative base sheettreated with a pre-layer of alginate can, in some instances, (i) exhibita controlled porosity and/or diffusivity, (ii) provide for control ofsubsequent additive material application, (iii) provide for improveddrying and reduced blocking of base sheet that is subsequently treatedwith additive material, and (iv) provide a means for alternating to someextent the smoke chemistry of a cigarette manufactured from that treatedbase sheet.

Diffusion, with respect to a cigarette wrapping material having a coatedregion of additive material, is the amount of gas transported throughthe wrapping material when a gas concentration gradient is present. See,Baker et al., The Diffusion of Carbon Monoxide out of Cigarettes, Beitr.Tabakforsch., Vol. 9(3), 131-140 (1977); Drake et al., On a Cell toMeasure Diffusion Coefficients of Gases through Cigarette Papers, Int. JHeat Mass Transfer, Vol. 23, 127-134 (1980); Baker, The Viscous andInertial Flow of Air through Perforated Papers, Beitr. Tabakforsch.,Vol. 14(5), 253-260 (1989); Miura, Oxygen Diffusion through CigarettePaper, Beitr. Tabakforsch., Vol. 19(4), 205-208 (2001); Miura et al.,Heat Emission from a Burning Cigarette, Beitr. Tabakforsch., Vol. 19(5),245-249 (2001); Rostami et al., Modeling the Diffusion of CarbonMonoxide and Other Gases from the Paper Wrapper of a Cigarette DuringPuffing, J. Anal. Pyrolysis, Vol. 66, 263-280 (2003); Rostami et al.,Modeling of a Smoldering Cigarette, J. Anal. Pyrolysis, Vol. 66, 281-301(2003). An apparatus suitable for measuring the diffusion capacity of awrapping material, including coated regions thereof, is set forth inU.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2005/0087202 to Norman et al., which isincorporated herein by reference. See, also, Norman et al., Measurementof Gas Diffusion Capacity of Cigarette Papers, Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int.Vol. 21 (2205) 425-434 (2005), which is incorporated herein byreference.

A coating formulation of the present invention may incorporate a lowviscosity polymeric material. Such an ingredient preferably is used inan amount that is effective for providing, or at least sufficient toprovide a formulation having a relatively low liquid solvent or carrier(e.g., water) content. That is, the polymeric ingredient preferably isused primarily for the purpose of significantly decreasing the moisturecontent of the formulation. As such, the ingredient can assist inproviding a coating formulation exhibiting improved drying and reducedblocking of base sheet that is subsequently treated with additivematerial. However, the ingredient preferably exhibits characteristics,and is employed in an amount, such that the use of the ingredient willnot result in significantly increasing the viscosity of the coatingformulation.

Exemplary low viscosity polymeric materials include inulins and modifiedinulins. Inulin is a fructo-oligosaccharide. Exemplary forms of inulinand partially hydrolyzed forms of inulin are available Ticaloid LC-CSR-2and Inulin LV 110 from T.I.C. Gums; as Oliggo-Fiber LC/HT andOliggo-Fiber F97 from Cargill, Incorporated; and as Beneo HP from OraftiGroup.

The amount of low-viscosity polymeric material within the coatingformulation can vary. Typically, for a representative ingredient such asan inulin or modified inulin, the amount can be as much as up to about50 percent, and can range from about 5 percent to about 30 percent,often from about 10 percent to about 25 percent, based on the totalweight of the coating formulation prior to use (i.e., including theliquid solvent or carrier of the formulation). Although the viscosity ofthe formulation may vary, the amount of inulin-type material that isincorporated into the formulation may be dependent upon factors such asspecific type and amount of other polymeric material present within theformulation. For example, for formulations incorporating relatively highlevels of polymeric materials that have the ability to thicken theformulation, the addition of relatively small amounts of inulin may havethe effect of causing substantial thickening of the formulation.

The coating formulation that is applied to the wrapping materialincludes at least one film-forming agent. The film-forming agent is apolymeric material that can be applied to the wrapping material to forma pattern (e.g., spaced bands), sufficiently adhere to the wrappingmaterial, and provide a decrease in the air permeability of the wrappingmaterial in the area where the coating formulation is applied.

The coating formulation may also incorporate a thickening agent. Such amaterial preferably provides desirable rheological properties to theformulation. Such a material may be selected, and employed in a manner,such that the coating formulation has the form of a paste that can bereadily applied in a desired fashion to the wrapping material. It ispreferred that rheology of the coating formulation is not overly thickor overly thin, but that the paste is of such consistency that it can beapplied to a wrapping material without damaging the material. Preferredcoating formulations may also function as adhesives, as it is desirablefor those coatings to remain in intimate contact with (e.g., to adhereto or otherwise remain secured to) desired locations on the wrappingmaterial where those formulations are applied, and preferred thickeningagents assist in facilitating such behaviors. Typically, thickeningagents are polymeric materials that are selected on the basis ofpossessing relatively high molecular weights, and hence exhibitingrelatively high viscosities when incorporated within a liquidformulation.

The thickening agent and the film-forming agent can be provided by oneparticular type of polymeric material, or one type of polymeric materialthat is provided in at least two forms, or in more than one range ofmolecular weights. That is, certain polymeric materials can have theability to act as both film-forming and thickening agents.Alternatively, the thickening agent can be provided by one type ofpolymeric material, and the film-forming agent can be provided by adifferent type of polymeric material.

Exemplary preferred polymeric agents include alginates, such as sodiumalginate, potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, and the like. Exemplaryalginates are available as Kelgin RL, Manucol LD, Manucol LB, ManugelLBA, and Keltone LVCR NF from ISP Corporation. Particularly preferredalginates are relatively low molecular weight alginates. See, forexample, the types of alginates set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,530 toKraker and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/251,632 to Oglesby, filedOct. 14, 2005; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.Relatively low molecular weight alginates may act as film-formingagents, while relatively high molecular weight alginates may act asthickening agents as well as film-forming agents. If desired, mixturesof alginates, such as mixtures of relatively high molecular weightalginates and relatively low molecular weight alginates, may beemployed. Preferably, the amount of a representative ingredient, such asalginate, is at least about 1 percent, may be at least about 5 percent,and often at least about 10 percent; and typically does not exceed about30 percent, generally does not exceed about 25 percent, and often doesnot exceed about 20 percent; based on the total weight of the coatingformulation prior to use.

Another representative polymeric agent is hydroxypropylcellulose. Anexemplary hydroxypropylcellulose is available as Klucel EF fromHercules, Inc. See, also, for example, the types of polymeric agents setforth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/109,404 to Oglesby et al.,filed Apr. 19, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.Hydroxypropylcellulose can act as a film-forming agent as well as athickening agent. Preferably, the amount of a representative ingredient,such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose or hydroxypropylcellulose, is atleast about 1 percent, generally at least about 5 percent, and often atleast about 10 percent; and typically does not exceed about 30 percent,generally does not exceed about 25 percent, and often does not exceedabout 20 percent; based on the total weight of the coating formulationprior to use.

Another representative polymeric agent is guar gum. Guar gum is apolysaccharide composed of galactose and mannose units. Exemplary formsof guar gum that are suitable as thickening agents are available asGG30, GG40, GG50 and GG60 from The Procell Company; and Nutriloid 010and Nutriloid LUC from T.I.C. Gums. Preferably, the amount of arepresentative ingredient, such as guar gum, is at least about 1percent, generally at least about 5 percent, and often at least about 10percent; and typically does not exceed about 30 percent, generally doesnot exceed about 25 percent, and often does not exceed about 20 percent;based on the total weight of the coating formulation prior to use.

Another representative polymeric agent is pullulan. Pullulan can act asa film-forming agent as well as a thickening agent. Exemplary types andforms of pullulan have been set forth in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/304,991 to Borschke et al., filed Dec. 15, 2005, which isincorporated herein by reference.

Other exemplary polymeric agents include starches and starch-basedmaterials. Starches and starch-based materials can be used as thickeningagents as well as film-forming agents. See, for example, the types ofstarches and starch-based materials set forth in U.S. Pat. ApplicationPub. No. 2005/0076929 to Fitzgerald et al.; which is incorporated hereinby reference.

Other exemplary polymeric agents, which can act as film-forming agentsand/or thickening agents, include carrageenans, polyvinylacetate,methylcellulose, xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetate,polyvinylacetate copolymers, chitosan, pectins,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic, and the like, as well ascombinations of these with each other or any other polymeric agentsdescribed herein.

The amount of film-forming agent within the coating formulation mayvary. Preferably, the amount of film-forming agent is at least about 1percent, generally at least about 5 percent, and often at least about 10percent; and typically does not exceed about 30 percent, generally doesnot exceed about 25 percent, and often does not exceed about 20 percent;based on the total weight of the coating formulation prior to use (i.e.,including the liquid solvent or carrier of the formulation). However,for certain polymeric materials, such as polyvinylacetate,polyvinylacetate copolymers, or gum arabic, the amount of polymericmaterial may exceed about 30 percent, often can exceed about 50 percent,but typically does not exceed about 75 percent, based of the weight ofthat polymeric material and the solvent or liquid carrier of coatingformulation prior to use. Although the viscosity of the formulation canvary, preferably, the film-forming agent preferably acts to thicken theformulation to a viscosity of less than about 100,000 centipoise, oftenabout less than about 50,000 centipoise, when measured as a Brookfieldviscosity (No. 6 spindle, 10 rpm, 25° C.).

When employed, the amount of thickening agent within the coatingformulation may vary. The amount of thickening agent that can beemployed can be selected based upon factors such as the desiredrheological properties of the coating formulation, the characteristicsand properties of the other components of the coating formulation (e.g.,the thickening properties of the film-forming agent components), thecompatibility of the thickening agent with the other components of theformulation, and the thickening properties of the thickening agent thatis selected. Preferably, the amount of thickening agent is at leastabout 1 percent, generally at least about 5 percent, and often at leastabout 10 percent; and typically does not exceed about 30 percent,generally does not exceed about 25 percent, and often does not exceedabout 20 percent; based on the total weight of the coating formulationprior to use (i.e., including the liquid solvent or carrier of theformulation). Although the viscosity of the formulation can vary,preferably, the thickening agent acts to thicken the formulation to aviscosity of about 15,000 centipoise to about 100,000 centipoise,preferably about 20,000 centipoise to about 30,000 centipoise, asmeasured as a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle, 10 rpm, 25° C.).

The relative amounts of the various polymeric agents within the coatingformulation can vary. For example, the amount of optional thickeningagent within the coating formulation may make up about 5 percent toabout 40 percent, of the combined weight of thickening, low viscositypolymeric and film-forming agents within the formulation; the amount oflow viscosity polymeric agent within the coating formulation can make upabout 10 percent to about 60 percent of the combined weight ofthickening, low viscosity polymeric and film-forming agents within theformulation; and the amount of film-forming agent within the coatingformulation can make up about 20 percent to about 75 percent of thecombined weight of thickening, low viscosity polymeric and film-formingagents within the formulation.

The coating formulation may incorporate other ingredients, in additionto the aforementioned polymeric materials. Those other ingredients canbe dissolved within the liquid carrier of the coating formulation,dispersed on, or suspended within that coating formulation. Those otheringredients can be employed in order to provide specific properties orcharacteristics to the wrapping material. For example, the coatingformulation can incorporate flavoring agents, humectants, sugars andsugar-type compounds (e.g., sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose,melezitose, dextrose, lactose, galactose and mannose), syrups (e.g.,high fructose corn syrup and honey), wetting agents, preservatives,colorants or pigments, and the like. Though not necessarily preferred,the coating formulation can incorporate water soluble (e.g., sodiumchloride, calcium chloride, potassium citrate or potassium chloride)and/or water insoluble (e.g., calcium carbonate or magnesium oxide)fillers. Certain salts can act to enhance the ability to remove liquidsolvent or carrier of the additive material formulation during dryingoperations. Other ingredients can include catalytic materials (e.g.,ultrafine particles or nanoparticle types of materials), metals or metaloxides (e.g., iron oxide powder), ammonium salts or ammonia generatingcompounds, or other types of ingredients that have the ability to alterthe chemical nature or character of tobacco smoke generated by thecigarette. Preferably, the optional ingredients are essentiallychemically non-reactive with other components of the formulation, atleast under those conditions at which the formulation is employed.Preferably, the optional ingredients are employed in amounts that do notresult in introduction of undesirable rheology to the coatingformulation (e.g., introducing an undesirably high viscosity to theformulation). See, also, for example, the types of ingredients, andamounts of those ingredients, set forth in U.S. Pat. Application Pub.Nos. 2005/0016556 to Ashcraft et al. and 2005/0076929 to Fitzgerald etal.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/251,632, filed Oct. 14,2005, to Oglesby, each of which is incorporated by reference.

The coating formulation preferably is incorporated within a suitablesolvent, such as an aqueous liquid, to produce a coating formulationthat is considered to be a thickened mixture. Preferred coatingformulations can be considered to have a “paste-like” consistency. Arepresentative water-based coating formulation having a solvent orcarrier content of about 65 weight percent to about 80 weight percentexhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle, 10 rpm, 25° C.) that istypically greater than about 10,000 centipoise, often greater than about20,000 centipoise, but usually less than about 800,000 centipoise, oftenless than about 400,000 centipoise, and frequently less than about200,000 centipoise; and preferably about 30,000 centipoise to about100,000 centipoise.

The suitable solvent or liquid carrier of the coating formulation mostpreferably is a liquid having an aqueous character, and can includerelatively pure water (e.g., tap water or de-ionized water). If desired,organic solvents or liquid carriers, such as alcohols, can be employed.Although not all components of the coating formulation are necessarilysoluble in the liquid carrier, it is most preferable that thefilm-forming components be soluble (or at least highly dispersible) inthat liquid. By “soluble” in referring to the components of the coatingformulation with respect to the liquid solvent, it is meant that thecomponents for a thermodynamically stable mixture when combined with thesolvent, have a significant ability to dissolve in that solvent, and donot form precipitates to any significant degree when present in thatsolvent.

Representative coating formulations typically incorporate about 50 toabout 90, generally about 65 to about 80, weight percent liquid carrier(e.g., an aqueous solution such as relatively pure water, or anon-aqueous solution); about 10 to about 50, generally about 15 to about30, weight percent of the polymeric agent mixture (e.g., the combinedweight of the polymeric thickening, low viscosity polymeric, andfilm-forming polymeric components); based on the total weight of liquidcarrier and polymeric agent mixture. Preferably, other optionalingredients, such as the previously described salts, preservatives,sugars, flavoring agents, and the like, typically are incorporatedwithin the coating formulation in total amounts that are less than about15, and usually less than about 10 weight percent, based on the totalweight of the coating formulation prior to use.

The relative amounts of the various other optional components of thecoating formulation can vary. In many preferred embodiments, thecombined amounts of ingredients such as flavorings, colorants,preservatives, fillers, and the like, preferably do not exceed about 50percent, often do not exceed 40 percent, and frequently do not exceedabout 30 percent, of the total combined weight of the film-forming agentcomponents and optional components.

Coating formulations, such as the types of water-based coatingformulations described hereinbefore, are subjected to drying conditionsafter those formulations have been applied to the wrapping material,such as a continuous strip of paper web of wrapping material.Preferably, sufficient solvent is removed from the formulation afterthat formulation has been applied to the wrapping material such that theadditive material that remains in contact with the wrapping materialdoes not exhibit a sticky or tacky character or nature. Preferably,sufficient solvent (e.g., water or a non-aqueous solvent) is removedfrom the formulation after it has been applied to the wrapping materialsuch that the additive material that remains in contact with thewrapping material exhibits a solvent (e.g., moisture) content of lessthan about 10 percent, more preferably less than about 8 percent, basedon the weight of the coating formulation that remains in contact withthe wrapping material. Preferably, sufficient solvent (e.g., water or anon-aqueous solvent) is removed from the formulation after thatformulation has been applied to the wrapping material such that theformulation that remains in contact with the wrapping material exhibitsa solvent (e.g., moisture) content of about 4 percent to about 6percent, based on the weight of the coating formulation that remains incontact with the wrapping material.

A representative coating formulation may incorporate both an alginateand an inulin-type of material. Representative coating formulations canincorporate about 10 percent to about 40 percent alginate, about 2percent to about 30 percent inulin-type material, and solvent or liquidcarrier (e.g., water) in an amount of about 60 percent to about 90percent, often about 70 percent to about 85 percent, based on the totalweight of the formulation prior to application to a wrapping material.One representative coating formulation can incorporate about 59.6 weightparts water, about 20 weight parts alginate (e.g., an alginate availableas Manucol LD or Manucol LB from ISP Corporation), about 20 weight partsinulin-type material (e.g., a material available as TIC PretestedTicaloid LC-CSR-2), about 0.2 weight parts of a preservative (e.g.,potassium sorbate) and about 0.2 weight parts colorant.

The amount of coating formulation that is applied to the wrappingmaterial may vary. The coating formulation preferably is applied to thewrapping material such that the dry weight of the additive material onthe wrapping material is least about 1 g/m², often at least about 2g/m², and frequently at least about 3 g/m². The coating formulation maybe applied to the wrapping material such that the dry weight of theadditive material on the wrapping material is less than about 10 g/m²,often is less than about 7 g/m², and frequently is less than about 4g/m². For example, a paper wrapping material having a dry basis weightof about 25 g/m² can be coated with coating formulation and dried tohave a resulting overall dry basis weight in the coated regions of about27 g/m² to about 28.5 g/m².

Coated regions of the wrapping material useful as the circumscribingwrapper of tobacco rods for cigarettes are produced using additivematerials that are effective in reducing the porosity of the wrappingmaterial in those regions. Film-forming materials coated onto thewrapping material have a tendency to reduce the porosity of the wrappingmaterial. Typical coated regions of the wrapping materials haveporosities that can vary. Preferably, the porosities of the coatedregions of the wrapping materials are less than about 9 CORESTA units,and usually are less than about 8 CORESTA units. Preferably, theporosities of the coated regions of the wrapping materials are at leastabout 0.1 CORESTA units, usually are at least about 1 CORESTA unit,often are at least about 3 CORESTA units. Preferably, the porosities ofthe coated regions of the wrapping materials, particularly thosewrapping materials that are used for the manufacture of cigarettesdesigned to meet certain cigarette extinction test criteria, are fromabout 3 CORESTA units to about 6 CORESTA units.

The wrapping material can possess patterns of predetermined shapes andsizes positioned at predetermined locations, and hence, cigarettesappropriately manufactured from that wrapping material can possesscoated patterns of predetermined shapes and sizes positioned atpredetermined locations on their smokable rods. Representative patternsare set forth in U.S. Pat. Application Pub. Nos. 2005/0016556 toAshcraft et al.; and 2005/0076929 to Fitzgerald et al. For example,shapes of coated regions, compositions of the coating formulations, oramounts or concentrations of coating materials, can change over thelength of the wrapping material. The relative positioning of the printedregions can be selected as desired. For example, wrapping materials thatare used for the production of cigarettes designed to meet certaincigarette extinction test criteria, the pattern most preferably has theform of spaced continuous bands that are aligned transversely or crossdirectionally to the longitudinal axis of the wrapping material.Cross-directional lines or bands that are essentially perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the wrapping material preferably extendsufficiently across the wrapping material such that smokable rodsmanufactured from that wrapping material have bands that completely ornearly completely circumscribe the smokable rods. A cigarette also canbe manufactured from a wrapping material possessing discontinuous bandspositioned in a spaced apart relationship. For a wrapping material ofsuch a cigarette, it is most preferred that discontinuous bands (e.g.,bands that include a pattern, such as a series of dots, grids orstripes) cover at least about 70 percent of the surface of the band areaor region of the wrapping material. A cigarette also can be manufacturedfrom a wrapping material possessing at least one longitudinallyextending stripe, which stripe is provided by a coating formulation,such as a coating formulation of the present invention.

Preferred wrapping materials possess coatings in the form of bands thatextend across the wrapping material, generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the wrapping material. The widths of the individualbands can vary, as well as the spacing between those bands. Preferably,those bands have widths of at least about 2 mm, usually at least about 3mm, frequently at least about 4 mm. However, the bands may have widthsof up to about 8 mm. Preferred bands have widths of about 4 mm to about7 mm, and often have widths of about 6 mm to about 7 mm. Such bands canbe spaced apart such that the spacing between the bands (i.e., asmeasured from the inside adjacent edges of the bands) is at least about10 mm; but which may be about 15 mm, 20 mm, or 25 mm, in certaininstances at least about 30 mm, and on occasion at least about 35 mm;but such spacing preferably does not exceed about 50 mm. For certainpreferred wrapping materials, the bands are spaced apart such that thespacing between the bands is about 15 mm to about 25 mm, more preferablyabout 18 mm to about 24 mm.

Preferably, the coating formulation has an overall composition, and isapplied in a manner and in an amount, such that the physical integrityof the wrapping material is not adversely affected when the coatingformulation is applied to selected regions of the wrapping material. Itis desirable that the components of the coating formulation applied towrapping materials not adversely affect to any significant degree (i)the appearance of cigarettes manufactured from those wrapping materials,(ii) the nature or quality of the smoke generated by those cigarettes,(iii) the desirable burn characteristics of those cigarettes, or (iv)the desirable performance characteristics of those cigarettes.Specifically, it desirable that components of the coating formulationnot introduce undesirable sensory characteristics to the smoke generatedby a smoke article incorporating a wrapping material treated with thatcoating formulation. For preferred cigarettes, it is desirable that thecoating formulation applied to the wrapping material provide thedesirable extinction performance characteristics to the cigarettesmanufactured using that wrapping material at relatively low coating orapplication levels. For example, for cigarettes evaluated forself-extinction properties using the type to test method set forth inASTM Designation: E 2187-02b using 10 layers of Whatman No. 2 filterpaper, extinction criteria most preferably are met for 100 percent ofthe cigarettes tested when about 2.5 g/m² to about 3.5 g/m² of preferreddry coating is applied as bands that extend around the cigarette rod andare spaced along the length of the cigarette rod.

A preferred wrapping material includes a coated region exhibiting adiffusion capacity in that coated region when measured at ambienttemperature that is relatively low, but exhibits a diffusion capacity inthe coated region—when measured after being subjected to exposure to atemperature significantly above ambient temperature—that is relativelyhigh. For example, ratios of diffusion capacities for an uncoated regionto a coated region of a wrapping material (e.g., for a wrapping materialheated at about 230° C. for an effective period of time and cooled toambient for measurement, relative to a wrapping material maintained andmeasured at ambient temperature) can be greater than about 3:1, andoften can be greater than about 5:1. See, U.S. Patent Application Pub.No. 2005/0087202 to Norman et al. and Norman et al., Beitr. Tabakforsch.Int. 21 (2205) 425-434, each of which is incorporated by reference.

A preferred embodiment of a wrapping material includes one or more bandsof a coating formulation of the present invention. When measured atambient temperature, each portion of the wrapping material that is acoated region or a region occupied by a band of the coating formulationpreferably exhibits a diffusion capacity of less than about 0.2 cm/sec,and more preferably less than about 0.1 cm/sec. After being heatedsubstantially above ambient temperature, (preferably at about 230° C.)for about 15 minutes, and cooled to ambient temperature for measurement,each coated region or region occupied by a band of the coatingformulation preferably exhibits, for certain preferred formulations, adiffusion capacity of at least about 0.5 cm/sec, and more preferably atleast about 0.7 cm/sec.

A preferred smoking article in the form of cigarette incorporating atobacco rod manufactured from wrapping material treated with theadditive material formulation of the present invention meets extinctioncriteria while also exhibiting a propensity to avoid self-extinctionduring normal smoking conditions. That is, a preferred cigarette, whilebeing capable of meeting the certain extinction criteria, does notexperience free air self-extinction to a significant degree, and mostpreferably there is a low rate of occurrence free air self-extinction.For example, a preferred cigarette does not have a tendency to undergopremature extinction, such as when lit cigarettes are held in thesmoker's hand or when placed in an ashtray for a brief period of time.Preferred cigarettes undergo free air self-extinction for less thanabout 30 percent, preferably for less than about 15 percent, and mostpreferably for 0 percent, of cigarettes tested. Free air self-extinctionwith regards to a cigarette having a tobacco rod incorporating awrapping material possessing circumscribing bands of additive materialrelates to those burning cigarette rods that extinguish when left toburn in air (and not in contact with a substrate).

The following examples are provided in order to further illustrate thepresent invention, but should not be construed as limiting the scopethereof. Unless otherwise noted, all parts and percentages are byweight.

EXAMPLE 1

A water-based additive formulation that may be applied as a patternedcoating to a cigarette paper wrapping material is prepared in thefollowing manner. The additive material incorporates guar gum, inulinand another polymeric material (e.g., pullulan).

Tap water is heated to and maintained at about 60° C. Potassium sorbateis added to the water in a manner such that the potassium sorbatedissolves in the water. Colorant in the form of a water-based dye alsois added. Potassium citrate also is added. Guar gum, inulin, andpullulan are added to the water. The polymeric materials are added in afashion that avoids the formation of lumps. An exemplary guar gum is TCIPretested Gum Guar VLV Powder from T.I.C. Gums. An exemplary inulin isInulin LV110 from T.I.C. Gums. An exemplary pullulan is available asPI-20 from Hayashibara Biochemical Laboratories, Inc.

During addition of the various components to the water, the water israpidly stirred using a high speed electric mixer. The resulting mixturehas a relatively uniform consistency. The resulting mixture comprisesabout 77.2 parts water, about 12 parts guar gum, about 4 parts inulin,about 4 parts pullulan, about 2.4 parts potassium citrate, about 0.2parts colorant, and about 0.2 parts potassium sorbate.

The resulting aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixtureat room temperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles apaste. After being allowed to sit for about 24 hours at ambienttemperature, the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle,10 rpm, 25° C.) of about 350,000 centipoise.

EXAMPLE 2

A water-based additive formulation incorporating an inulin-type ofmaterial and another polymeric material (e.g., hydroxypropylcellulose)is provided as follows, and is applied as a pattern to a cigarette paperwrapper in the following manner.

Tap water is heated to, and maintained at, about 60° C. Potassiumsorbate is added to the water in a manner such that the potassiumsorbate dissolves in the water. Colorant in the form of a water-baseddye also is added. Calcium chloride also is added.Hydroxypropylcellulose and inulin are added to the water. The polymericmaterials preferably are added in a fashion that avoids the formation oflumps. For this formulation, which incorporates a relatively large ratioof inulin to hydroxypropylcellulose, the polymeric ingredients initiallymay not be soluble in solution with one another. However, after standingfor a period of time (e.g., about 4 hours to about 8 hours), andre-stirring, a stable, homogeneous aqueous polymeric dispersion isformed. A preferred hydroxypropylcellulose is available as Klucel EFfrom Hercules, Inc. A preferred inulin material is available as TICPretested Ticaloid LC-CSR-2.

During addition of the various components to the water, the water israpidly stirred using a high speed electric mixer. The resulting mixturehas a relatively uniform consistency. The resulting mixture comprisesabout 62.4 parts water, about 18 parts hydroxypropylcellulose, about 18parts of the inulin material, about 1.2 parts calcium chloride, about0.2 parts colorant, and about 0.2 parts potassium sorbate.

The resulting aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixtureat room temperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles apaste. After being allowed to sit for about 24 hours at ambienttemperature, the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle,10 rpm, 25° C.) of about 60,000 centipoise.

An application apparatus of the type generally as described withreference to FIG. 29 of U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2005/0076929 to Fitzgeraldet al. is provided. The apparatus is equipped with a bobbin of cigaretterod wrapping paper having an inherent porosity of 46 CORESTA units thatis available as LK 46 from Tervakoski. The apparatus has an applicatorsystem having a 20 head applicator roller that has a maximum outerdiameter of about 152.8 mm, and a width of about 23 mm. Each head isabout 5 mm wide, and the heads are equally spaced on at a pitch of about19 mm. The heads of the applicator roller are fed with coatingformulation from a grooved roller having an outer diameter of about103.5 mm, and a width of about 70.5 mm. A groove of about 31 mm wide isground in the roll face of the roller so as to extend around theperipheral face of that roller. The rollers and wrapping material areconfigured so as to provide a series of spaced bands extendingtransversely to the longitudinal axis of the web of wrapping materialfed from the bobbin. The groove grind depth is fixed for a series ofrollers, one roller having a groove grind depth of about 1.25 mil,another roller having a groove grind depth of about 1.5 mil, and anotherroller having a groove grind depth of about 2.0 mil.

The application apparatus is operated so as to feed a web of wrappingmaterial from the bobbin through the applicator system at a rate of 300meters per minute. In this manner, the coating formulation is applied tothe web while the coating formulation is maintained at a temperatureslightly above ambient. The coated web is dried and collected. The driedfilm can be characterized as brittle, and can be dried in a time-frameconsistent with providing good drying properties on the previouslydescribed machine. The band weight of the coating applied using theroller with a groove grind depth of about 1.25 mil is about 1.8 g/m².The band weight of the coating applied using the roller with a groovegrind depth of about 1.5 mil is about 2.1 g/m². The band weight of thecoating applied using the roller with a groove grind depth of about 2.0mil is about 2.7 g/m².

Diffusion capacities of the wrapping materials in the regions of thebands provided by the coating formulation preferably are determinedusing the apparatus and methodologies set forth in U.S. PatentApplication Pub. No. 2005/0087202 to Norman et al. See, also, Norman etal., Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 21 (2205) 425-434.

For a coating applied using the roller that has a groove grind depth ofabout 1.25 mil, the web has bands with average diffusion capacities(measured at 25° C.) of about 0.21 cm/sec. For a coating applied usingthe roller with a groove grind depth of about 1.5 mil, the web has bandswith average diffusion capacities (measured at 25° C.) of about 0.19cm/sec. For a coating applied using the roller with a groove grind depthof about 2.0 mil, the web has bands having average diffusion capacities(measured at 25° C.) of about 0.10 cm/sec.

Diffusion capacities of the wrapping materials in the regions of thebands provided by the coating formulation preferably are determined at25° C. after heating the band region of wrapping material substantiallyabove ambient temperature in, for example, a radiant oven at about 230°C. for about 15 minutes, and then cooling the band region to about 25°C. Diffusion capacities measured after heating typically are expected tobe as follows. For web with coating applied using the roller with agroove grind depth of about 1.25 mil, the spaced bands have averagediffusion capacities (measured at 25° C.) of about 0.92 cm/sec. For webwith coating applied using the roller with a groove grind depth of about1.5 mil, the spaced bands have average diffusion capacities (measured at25° C.) of about 0.89 cm/sec. For web with coating applied using theroller with a groove grind depth of about 2.0 mil, the spaced bands haveaverage diffusion capacities (measured at 25° C.) of about 0.81 cm/sec.

This example demonstrates the production of an additive formulation ofmanageable viscosity, an additive formulation that can be dried, and aformulation exhibiting an increase in the diffusivity coefficient of theband formed using that formulation after the cigarette paper wrappercoated with that formulation is heated at about 230° C.

EXAMPLE 3

A water-based additive formulation incorporating guar gum and inulin isprovided as follows, and is applied as a pattern to a cigarette paperwrapper in the following manner.

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about71.6 parts water, about 8 parts guar gum, about 20 parts inulin, about0.2 parts colorant, and about 0.2 parts potassium sorbate. An exemplaryguar gum is TCI Pretested Gum Guar VLV Powder from T.I.C. Gums. Anexemplary inulin is Inulin LV110 from T.I.C. Gums.

The resulting aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixtureat room temperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles apaste. After being allowed to sit for about 24 hours at ambienttemperature, the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle,10 rpm, 25° C.) of about 50,000 centipoise.

Paper of the type set forth in Example 2 is coated using equipment ofthe general type set forth in Example 2. The roller that is employed hasa groove depth of about 2.0 mil, and the formulation is applied to thepaper web running at a speed of about 300 meters per minute. The paperso coated can be collected, and the dry weight coating is applied in anamount of about 3.4 g/m².

The resulting web having spaced bands applied thereto has bands withaverage diffusion capacities (measured at 25° C.) of about 0.14 cm/sec.Diffusion capacities in the regions of the bands provided by the coatingformulation is determined at 25° C. after heating the band region ofwrapping material substantially above ambient temperature in, forexample, a radiant oven at about 230° C. for about 15 minutes, and thencooling the band region to about 25° C. A heated and cooled web afterthis process has bands with average diffusion capacities, measured at25° C., of about 0.17 cm/sec.

EXAMPLE 4

A water-based additive formulation incorporating guar gum, inulin andanother polymeric material (e.g., hydroxypropylcellulose) is provided asfollows, and is applied as a pattern to a cigarette paper wrapper in thefollowing manner.

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about77.2 parts water, about 10 parts guar gum, about 4 parts inulin, about 6parts hydroxypropylcellulose, about 2.4 parts potassium citrate, about0.2 parts colorant, and about 0.2 parts potassium sorbate. An exemplaryguar gum is TCI Pretested Gum Guar VLV Powder from T.I.C. Gums. Anexemplary inulin is Inulin LV110 from T.I.C. Gums. An exemplaryhydroxypropylcellulose is available as Klucel EF from Hercules, Inc.

Paper of the type set forth in Example 2 may be coated with the additiveformulation using equipment of the general type set forth in Example 2.The roller that is employed may have a groove depth of about 2.5 mil,and the formulation can be applied to the paper web running at a speedof about 300 meters per minute. The paper so coated can be collected,and the dry weight coating preferably is applied in an amount of greaterthan about 2.5 g/m².

EXAMPLE 5

A water-based additive formulation suitable for application as apatterned coating to a cigarette paper wrapping material may be preparedin the following manner. The additive material incorporates guar gum andinulin.

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about76.8 parts water, about 14.4 parts guar gum, about 6 parts inulin, about2.4 parts potassium citrate, about 0.2 parts colorant, and about 0.2parts potassium sorbate. The guar gum and inulin are described above inExample 4.

The resulting aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixtureat room temperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles apaste. After being allowed to sit for about 24 hours at ambienttemperature, the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle,10 rpm, 25° C.) of about 830,000 centipoise.

EXAMPLE 6

A water-based additive suitable for application as a patterned coatingto a cigarette paper wrapping material may be prepared in the followingmanner. The additive material incorporates guar gum and anotherpolymeric material (e.g., hydroxypropylcellulose).

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about76.8 parts water, about 14.4 parts guar gum, about 6 partshydroxypropylcellulose, about 2.4 parts calcium chloride, about 0.2parts colorant, and about 0.2 parts potassium sorbate. The guar gum andhydroxypropylcellulose are described above in Example 4.

The resulting aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixtureat room temperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles apaste. After being allowed to sit for about 24 hours at ambienttemperature, the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle,10 rpm, 25° C.) of about 800,000 centipoise.

EXAMPLE 7

A water-based additive formulation suitable for application as apatterned coating to a cigarette paper wrapping material may be preparedin the following manner. The additive material incorporates guar gum andanother polymeric material (e.g., hydroxypropylcellulose).

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about76.8 parts water, about 14.4 parts guar gum, about 6 partshydroxypropylcellulose, about 2.4 parts potassium citrate, about 0.2parts colorant, and about 0.2 parts potassium sorbate. The guar gum andhydroxypropylcellulose are described previously in Example 4.

The resulting aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixtureat room temperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles apaste. After being allowed to sit for about 24 hours at ambienttemperature, the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle,10 rpm, 25° C.) of about 890,000 centipoise.

EXAMPLE 8

A water-based additive formulation suitable for application as apatterned coating to a cigarette paper wrapping material may be preparedin the following manner. The additive material incorporates guar gum andtwo other polymeric materials (e.g., hydroxypropylcellulose andpullulan).

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about77.2 parts water, about 7 parts guar gum, about 6 partshydroxypropylcellulose, about 7 parts pullulan, about 2.4 partspotassium citrate, about 0.2 parts colorant, and about 0.2 partspotassium sorbate. An exemplary guar gum is TCI Pretested Gum Guar VLVPowder from T.I.C. Gums. An exemplary hydroxypropylcellulose isavailable as Klucel EF from Hercules, Inc. An exemplary pullulan isavailable as PI-20 from Hayashibara Biochemical Laboratories, Inc.

The resulting aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixtureat room temperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles apaste. After being allowed to sit for about 24 hours at ambienttemperature, the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle,10 rpm, 25° C.) of about 60,000 centipoise.

EXAMPLE 9

A water-based additive formulation suitable for application as apatterned coating to a cigarette paper wrapping material is prepared inthe following manner. The additive material incorporates guar gum andanother polymeric material (e.g., gum arabic).

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about83.2 parts water, about 9.1 parts guar gum, about 6.2 parts gum arabic,about 1.1 parts calcium chloride, about 0.15 parts colorant, and about0.15 parts potassium sorbate.

EXAMPLE 10

A liquid additive formulation incorporating hydroxypropylcellulose andan inulin-type of material is provided as follows, and is applied as apattern to a cigarette paper wrapper in the following manner.

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about 32parts water, about 32 parts denatured ethanol, about 17 partshydroxypropylcellulose, about 17 parts of an inulin material, about 1.4parts calcium chloride, about 0.2 parts colorant, and about 0.1 partspotassium sorbate. An exemplary inulin is Inulin LV 110 from T.I.C.Gums. An exemplary hydroxypropylcellulose is available as Klucel EF fromHercules, Inc.

The aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixture at roomtemperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles a paste.After being allowed to sit for about 24 hours at ambient temperature,the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle, 10 rpm, 25°C.) of about 65,000 centipoise.

Paper of the type set forth in Example 2 is coated using equipment ofthe general type set forth in Example 2. The roller that is employed hasa groove depth of about 1.5 mil, and the formulation is applied to thepaper web running at a speed of about 300 meters per minute. The paperso coated can be collected, and the dry weight coating is applied in anamount of about 3.8 g/m².

The resulting web having spaced bands applied thereto has bands havingaverage diffusion capacities, measured at 25° C., of about 0.04 cm/sec.Diffusion capacities in the regions of the bands provided by the coatingformulation is determined at 25° C. after heating the band region ofwrapping material substantially above ambient temperature in, forexample, a radiant oven at about 230° C. for about 15 minutes, and thencooling the band region to about 25° C. The resulting web having spacedbands applied thereto has bands having average diffusion capacities,measured at 25° C., of about 0.47 cm/sec.

EXAMPLE 11

A water-based additive formulation that is suitable for application as apatterned coating to a cigarette paper wrapping material may be preparedin the following manner. The additive material incorporates guar gum andan inulin-type of material.

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about74.4 parts water, about 8 parts guar gum, about 16 parts of inulin-typematerial, about 1.2 parts calcium chloride, about 0.2 parts colorant,and about 0.2 parts potassium sorbate. An exemplary guar gum is TCIPretested Gum Guar VLV Powder from T.I.C. Gums. An exemplary inulin-typematerial is available as Ticaloid LC-CSR-2 from T.I.C. Gums. Theresulting aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixture atroom temperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles apaste. After being allowed to sit for about 24 hours at ambienttemperature, the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle,10 rpm, 25° C.) of about 50,000 centipoise.

EXAMPLE 12

A water-based additive formulation that is suitable for application as apatterned coating to a cigarette paper wrapping material may be preparedin the following manner. The additive material incorporates an alginateand an inulin-type material.

A liquid additive formulation is provided in the general manner setforth previously in Example 1. The resulting mixture comprises about79.6 parts water, about 15 parts ammonium alginate, about 5 partsinulin-type material, about 0.2 parts colorant, and about 0.2 partspotassium sorbate. An exemplary ammonium alginate is available asCollatex A/RE from ISP Corporation, and an exemplary inulin-typematerial is available as TIC Pretested Ticaloid LC-CSR-2.

The resulting aqueous mixture is cooled to room temperature. The mixtureat room temperature has a relatively uniform consistency and resembles apaste. After being allowed to sit for about 8 hours at ambienttemperature, the mixture exhibits a Brookfield viscosity (No. 6 spindle,5 rpm, 25° C.) of about 152,000 centipoise.

For comparison purposes, a similar formulation not incorporatinginulin-type material, but incorporating 84.6 parts water, exhibits aBrookfield viscosity after sitting for about 8 hours (No. 6 spindle, 5rpm, 25° C.) of about 104,000 centipoise.

It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded asillustrative rather than limiting. It should be understood that thefollowing claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define thespirit and scope of this invention.

1. A wrapping material for a smoking article, the wrapping materialcomprising a base sheet and an additive material disposed on at leastone major surface thereof, the additive material comprising (i) aninulin-type material, and (ii) at least one polymeric film-formingagent.
 2. The wrapping material of claim 1, wherein the additivematerial further comprises a non-polymeric filler.
 3. A smoking articleincorporating the wrapping material of claim
 1. 4. The wrapping materialof claim 1, wherein the additive material is applied to the wrappingmaterial such that its dry weight application is at least 1 g/m².
 5. Thewrapping material of claim 1, wherein the additive material is appliedto the wrapping material such that its dry weight application is about 3g/m² to about 4 g/m².
 6. The wrapping material of claim 1, wherein theadditive material comprises guar gum.
 7. The wrapping material of claim6, wherein the additive material comprises a liquid carrier and the guargum comprises about 1 percent to about 30 percent by combined weight ofthe additive material and the liquid carrier.
 8. The wrapping materialof claim 6, wherein the additive material comprises a liquid carrier andthe guar gum comprises about 10 percent to about 20 percent by combinedweight of the additive material and the liquid carrier.
 9. The wrappingmaterial of claim 1, wherein the additive material comprises analginate.
 10. The wrapping material of claim 9, wherein the additivematerial comprises a liquid carrier and the alginate comprises about 1percent to about 30 percent by combined weight of the additive materialand the liquid carrier.
 11. The wrapping material of claim 9, whereinthe additive material comprises a liquid carrier and the alginatecomprises about 10 percent to about 20 percent by combined weight of theadditive material and the liquid carrier.
 12. The wrapping material ofclaim 1, wherein the additive material comprises hydroxypropylcellulose.13. The wrapping material of claim 12, wherein the additive materialcomprises a liquid carrier and the hydroxypropylcellulose comprisesabout 1 percent to about 30 percent by combined weight of the additivematerial and the liquid carrier.
 14. The wrapping material of claim 12,wherein the additive material comprises a liquid carrier and thehydroxypropylcellulose comprises about 10 percent to about 20 percent bycombined weight of the additive material and the liquid carrier.
 15. Thewrapping material of claim 1, wherein the additive material comprisespullulan.
 16. The wrapping material of claim 15, wherein the additivematerial comprises a liquid carrier and the pullulan comprises about 1percent to about 30 percent by combined weight of the additive materialand the liquid carrier.
 17. The wrapping material of claim 15, whereinthe additive material comprises a liquid carrier and the pullulancomprises about 10 percent to about 20 percent by combined weight of theadditive material and the liquid carrier.
 18. The wrapping material ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one polymeric film-forming agent isselected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylcellulose, alginates,guar gum, pullulan, starches, carrageenans, methylcellulose, xanthangum, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetate copolymers,chitosan, pectins, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic, and anycombination thereof.
 19. The wrapping material of claim 1, wherein theadditive material further comprises at least one thickening agent. 20.The wrapping material of claim 19, wherein the at least one thickeningagent is selected from the group consisting of inulin,hydroxypropylcellulose, alginates, guar gum, pullulan, starches,carrageenans, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol,polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetate copolymers, chitosan, pectins,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic, and any combination thereof.21. A wrapping material for a smoking article, the wrapping materialcomprising a base sheet and an additive material disposed on at leastone major surface thereof, the additive material comprising (i) guargum, and (ii) at least one polymeric material.
 22. The wrapping materialof claim 21, wherein the additive material further comprises anon-polymeric filler.
 23. The wrapping material of claim 21, wherein theadditive material further comprises at least one thickening agent. 24.The wrapping material of claim 23, wherein the at least one thickeningagent is selected from the group consisting of inulinhydroxypropylcellulose, alginates, guar gum, pullulan, starches,carrageenans, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol,polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetate copolymers, chitosan, pectins,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic, and any combination thereof.25. The wrapping material of claim 21, wherein the additive material isapplied to the wrapping material such that its dry weight application isat least 1 g/m².
 26. The wrapping material of claim 21, wherein the atleast one polymeric material is selected from the group consisting ofinulin, hydroxypropylcellulose, alginates, pullulan, starches,carrageenans, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol,polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetate copolymers, chitosan, pectins,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic, and any combination thereof.27. A smoking article incorporating the wrapping material of claim 21.28. A wrapping material for a smoking article, the wrapping materialcomprising a base sheet and an additive material disposed on at leastone major surface thereof, the additive material comprising (i) inulin,(ii) guar gum, and (iii) at least one polymeric material.
 29. Thewrapping material of claim 28, wherein the additive material furthercomprises a non-polymeric filler.
 30. The wrapping material of claim 28,wherein the additive material further comprises at least one thickeningagent.
 31. The wrapping material of claim 28, wherein the at least onethickening agent is selected from the group consisting of inulin,hydroxypropylcellulose, alginates, guar gum, pullulan, starches,carrageenans, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol,polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetate copolymers, chitosan, pectins,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic, and any combination thereof.32. The wrapping material of claim 28, wherein the additive material isapplied to the wrapping material such that its dry weight application isleast 1 g/m².
 33. The wrapping material of claim 28, wherein the atleast one polymeric material is selected from the group consisting ofhydroxypropylcellulose, alginates, pullulan, starches, carrageenans,polyvinylacetate, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol,polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetate copolymers, chitosan, pectins,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic, and any combination thereof.34. A smoking article incorporating the wrapping material of claim 28.35. A method of treating a wrapping material for a smoking article, saidmethod comprising the steps of: providing a base sheet; applying apolymeric coating to substantially all of at least one major surface ofthe base sheet; and applying an additive material in a pattern on amajor surface of the base sheet, wherein the additive material comprisesa polymeric material that is selected from the group consisting ofinulin, guar gum, gum arabic, and any combination thereof.
 36. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the additive material further comprises apolymeric material is selected from the group consisting ofhydroxypropylcellulose, alginates, pullulan, starches, carrageenans,methylcellulose, xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetate,polyvinylacetate copolymers, chitosan, pectins,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and any combination thereof.
 37. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the step of applying additive material in apattern comprises printing the additive material onto the base sheetfrom a grooved surface.
 38. The method of claim 35, wherein the step ofapplying a polymeric coating comprises providing between about 1 g/m²and about 2.5 g/m² on a dry weight basis.
 39. The method of claim 35,wherein the step of applying a polymeric coating provides the wrappingmaterial with a diffusion capacity less than 2.5 cm/sec, when measuredat 25° C.
 40. The method of claim 35, wherein after the steps ofapplying the polymeric coating and applying the pattern of additivematerial, the diffusion capacity in a region with polymeric coating onlyis at least three times the diffusion capacity in a region withpolymeric coating and additive material.
 41. The method of claim 35,further comprising the step of heating the wrapping material at about230° C. for about 15 minutes and then cooling it to ambient temperature.42. The method of claim 32, wherein after the step of heating andcooling, a portion of the wrapping material comprising the additivematerial pattern exhibits a diffusion capacity of at least about 0.5cm/sec, when measured at 25° C.
 43. The method of claim 35, wherein theadditive material further comprises at least one thickening agent. 44.The method of claim 43, wherein the at least one thickening agent isselected from the group consisting of inulin, hydroxypropylcellulose,alginates, guar gum, pullulan, starches, carrageenans, methylcellulose,xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetatecopolymers, chitosan, pectins, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic,and any combination thereof.
 45. The method of claim 35, wherein theadditive material comprises a liquid carrier.
 46. A coating formulationfor coating a wrapping material for a smoking article, the coatingformulation comprising a liquid carrier and an additive material,wherein the additive material comprises (i) an inulin-type material, and(ii) at least one polymeric film-forming agent.
 47. The coatingformulation of claim 46, wherein the at least one polymeric film-formingagent is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylcellulose,alginates, guar gum, pullulan, starches, carrageenans, methylcellulose,xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetatecopolymers, chitosan, pectins, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic,and any combination thereof.
 48. The coating formulation of claim 46,comprising by weight about 50 percent to about 90 percent of the liquidcarrier, about 10 percent to about 50 percent, combined, of theinulin-type material and the at least one polymeric film-forming agent.49. The coating formulation of claim 46, comprising by weight about 65percent to about 80 percent of the liquid carrier, about 15 percent toabout 30 percent, combined, of the inulin-type material and the at leastone polymeric film-forming agent.
 50. A coating formulation for coatinga wrapping material for a smoking article, the coating formulationcomprising a liquid carrier and an additive material, wherein theadditive material comprises (i) at least one thickening agent selectedfrom the group consisting of hydroxypropylcellulose, alginates, guargum, pullulan, starches, carrageenans, methylcellulose, xanthan gum,polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetate copolymers,inulin-type material, chitosan, pectins, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,gum arabic, and any combination thereof, and (ii) at least one polymericfilm-forming agent selected from the group consisting ofhydroxypropylcellulose, alginates, guar gum, pullulan, starches,carrageenans, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, polyvinylalcohol,polyvinylacetate, polyvinylacetate copolymers, inulin-type material,chitosan, pectins, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gum arabic, and anycombination thereof.
 51. A smoking article comprising a wrappingmaterial, wherein the wrapping material comprises the coatingformulation of claim 51.